Insertion instrument, adapter assemblies and protector assemblies for a flexible circular stapler

ABSTRACT

An adapter assembly for connecting a handle assembly with a loading unit is provided. The adapter assembly includes a housing, an elongate body extending from the housing, and a trocar assembly supported within the elongate body and including a trocar member. The trocar member extends from the elongate body and is magnetized. Also provided are various assemblies for protecting the distal end of a surgical stapler during introduction of the surgical stapler within a patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/827,036, filed Mar. 23, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,376,007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/583,594, filed May 1, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,595,871, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/334,145, filed May 10, 2016. Each of these disclosures is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to surgical stapling devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to insertion instruments, adapter assemblies, and protector assemblies for powered flexible circular staplers.

BACKGROUND

Circular staplers are used to perform end to end anastomosis. During a typical surgical procedure, an anvil of the circular stapler is delivered to the surgical site while a staple cartridge of the circular stapler supported on an elongate shaft is inserted through an incision in, for example, the abdominal wall. Alternatively, the circular stapler may include a flexible shaft that permits introduction of the staple cartridge to the surgical site through a natural body orifice, e.g., mouth or anus. The circular staplers may be manual or powered, and may be modified for use with robotic surgical systems.

To better facilitate introduction and positioning of a flexible shaft of the circular staplers, it would be beneficial to have a circular stapler that includes an efficient mechanism for connecting the anvil assembly of the circular stapler to the elongate body of the circular stapler during a surgical procedure. It would also be beneficial to have an introducer that minimizes risk of damage to the patient and/or to the circular stapler during, for example, introduction of the circular stapler into a patient. It would further be beneficial to have a circular stapler that increases visualization of the surgical procedure. It would also be beneficial to have a circular stapler with an elongated body capable of accommodate a guide wire and/or that allows for injecting saline to an anastomosis site to, for example, test a seal and ease manipulation.

SUMMARY

An adapter assembly for connecting a handle assembly with a loading unit is provided. The adapter assembly includes a housing, an elongate body extending from the housing, and a trocar assembly supported within the elongate body and including a trocar member. The trocar member extends from the elongate body. wherein the trocar member is magnetized.

In embodiments, the adapter assembly includes an anvil assembly. The anvil assembly may include a center rod magnetized to compliment the trocar member such that the center rod is magnetically attracted to the trocar member. The anvil assembly may include a removable tip. The removable tip may be magnetized to compliment the trocar member such that the removable tip is magnetically attracted to the trocar member. The trocar assembly may include an electromagnet received about the trocar member for selectively magnetizing the trocar member. The adapter assembly may further include a light source.

Also provided is an insertion instrument for facilitating placement of an anvil assembly within a patient. The insertion instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, an electromagnet including a coil of wire received around a ferromagnetic member, the electromagnet being disposed on a distal end of the elongate body, and a light source disposed on a distal end of the elongate body. In embodiments, the insertion instrument includes a first switch assembly for selectively activating the electromagnet. The insertion instrument may include a second switch assembly for selectively activating the light source.

Another assembly for protecting the functional end of a surgical stapler during introduction of the surgical stapler within a patient is provided. The assembly includes a sleeve having proximal and distal ends and being receivable about an elongate body. The sleeve defines an inflatable cavity on the distal end configured to be disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongate body. The assembly also includes an insufflation port in fluid communication with the inflatable cavity for selectively inflating the inflatable cavity.

In embodiments, the sleeve further defines a weakened portion extending along the length of the sleeve. The sleeve may include a handle portion on the proximal end. The assembly may include a source of insufflation fluid. The source of insufflation fluid may include a syringe.

An assembly for protecting the functional end of a surgical stapler is also provided. The assembly includes a sleeve having proximal and distal ends, and a cap member secured to the distal end of the sleeve. The cap member may include a plurality of leaves connected to each other by a frangible connection. The frangible connection may include a weakened bridge.

In embodiments, the sleeve includes a handle portion on the proximal end. The sleeve may further define a weakened portion extending along the length of the sleeve. The assembly may also include a camera disposed on a distal end of the cap member. The assembly may include a steering assembly having a steering ring and a plurality of steering cables secured to the steering ring. The plurality of steering cables may extend the length of the sleeve.

Also provided is an assembly for protecting a distal end of circular stapling apparatus. The assembly includes an inflatable member having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is smaller than the second portion and is configured to be received within the distal end of a loading unit. The assembly also includes an insufflation port operably connected to the inflatable member for selectively inflating and deflating the inflatable member.

In embodiments, the inflatable member includes a snowman shape. Each of the first and second portions may be substantially spherical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiment(s) given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary handle assembly and an adapter assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an anvil assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an anvil assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an adapter assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insertion instrument and anvil assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective side view of the distal end of the insertion instrument shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of a protective assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure received about the adapter assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of a sleeve member of the protective assembly shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged side view of the distal end of the sleeve member shown in FIG. 8, in a first or inflated condition;

FIG. 9B is an enlarged side view of the distal end of the sleeve member shown in FIG. 8, in a second or deflated condition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view of a protective assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure received about the adapter assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11A-11D are end views of cap members of the protective assembly shown in FIG. 10, having two (FIG. 11A), three (FIG. 11B), four (FIG. 11C), and five (FIG. 11D) leaves;

FIG. 12 is a perspective side view of the protective assembly shown in FIG. 10 received about the adapter assembly shown in FIG. 1 and received within a stump of an esophagus;

FIG. 13 is a perspective side view of the distal end of a protective assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the distal end of the protective assembly shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the protective assembly shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective side view of a protective assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure received about the adapter assembly shown in FIG. 1 which is secured to the exemplary handle assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a protective assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective side view of a loading unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a tubular organ received about a distal end of the loading unit;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional perspective side view of the loading unit shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional perspective side view of the loading unit shown in FIG. 19 during an irrigation procedure;

FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration of a robotic surgical system including a robotic surgical assembly suitable for use with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of the adapter assembly or surgical device, or component thereof, farther from the user, while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the adapter assembly or surgical device, or component thereof, closer to the user.

The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with respect to a powered handle assembly 10. Although shown and described as relates to the powered handle assembly 10, it is envisioned that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified for use with powered and non-powered handle assemblies having various configurations. For a detailed description of an exemplary powered circular stapler, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2012/0253329 (“the '329 application”), the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Also, for a detailed description of an exemplary electromechanical powered handle assembly, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2015/0157320 (“the '320 application”), the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, an adapter assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally as adapter assembly 100. The adapter assembly 100 will only be described to the extent necessary to fully disclose the aspects of the present disclosure. For a detailed description of exemplary adapter assemblies, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Prov. Pat. Appl. Ser. No. 62/239,301, filed Oct. 9, 2015 and U.S. Prov. Pat. Appl. Ser. No. 62/251,300, filed Nov. 5, 2015, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The adapter assembly 100 releasably connects to the powered handle assembly 10. The adapter assembly 100 includes a housing 102 operably connectable to the powered handle assembly 10, and an elongate body 104 extending from the housing 102. A loading unit 110 may be integrated with the adapter assembly 100, or may be releasably coupled to the adapter assembly 100 to permit reuse of the adapter assembly 100. The elongate body 104 is flexible to facilitate insertion of the loading unit 110 within the body.

A trocar member 106 extends from a distal end of the elongate body 104 for releasably engaging an anvil assembly, i.e., anvil assembly 120 (FIG. 2). As shown, a proximal portion 106 a of the trocar member 106 includes a first magnetic polarity, i.e., south “S”, and a distal portion 106 b of the trocar member 106 includes a second magnetic polarity, i.e., north “N”. As will become apparent from the below description, the polarities of the proximal and distal portions 106 a, 106 b of the trocar member 106 may be switched.

With reference to FIG. 2, the anvil assembly 120 is configured for releasable connection to the trocar member 106 (FIG. 1) of the adapter assembly 100 (FIG. 1). The anvil assembly 120 will only be described to the extent necessary to fully disclose the aspects of the present disclosure. For a detailed description of an exemplary anvil assembly, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,060 (“the '060 patent”). Another example of a tiltable anvil assembly is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,540,132 (“the '132 patent”). The content of each of the '060 patent and the '132 patent are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Briefly, the anvil assembly 120 includes a center rod assembly 122, and an anvil head assembly 124 secured to the center rod assembly 122. The head assembly 124 of the anvil assembly 120 may be rigidly secured to the center rod assembly 122. Alternatively, the head assembly 124 may be pivotally secured to the center rod assembly 122 to facilitate insertion of the anvil assembly 120 through a lumen of a patient. The center rod assembly 122 of the anvil assembly 120 includes a center rod 126. In one embodiment, the center rod 126 is magnetized. As shown in FIG. 2, the center rod 126 includes a proximal portion 126 a with a first magnetic polarity, i.e., south “S”, and a distal portion 126 b with a second magnetic polarity, i.e., north

As noted above, the trocar member 106 (FIG. 1) of the adapter assembly 100 (FIG. 1) is magnetized in a similar manner to the center rod 126 of the anvil assembly 120. In this manner, the proximal portion 126 a of the center rod 126 of the anvil assembly 120 is attracted to the distal portion 106 b of the trocar member 106.

During a surgical stapling procedure, the anvil assembly 120 may be introduced to a surgical site trans-orally, or in any other manner. After securing a first section of tissue to be stapled (not shown) to the anvil assembly 120, and after securing a second section of tissue to be stapled (not shown) about the loading unit 110 of the adapter assembly 100, the adapter assembly 100 is moved towards the anvil assembly 120. The magnetic attraction between the proximal portion 126 a of the center rod 126 of the anvil assembly 120 and the distal portion 106 b of the trocar member 106 facilitates alignment of the center rod 126 of the anvil assembly 120 with the trocar member 106 of the adapter assembly 100. This feature is particularly beneficial when the anvil assembly 120 is not visible to the clinician during connection of the anvil assembly 120 to the adapter assembly 100.

Turning to FIG. 3, in an alternative embodiment, the anvil assembly 120 includes a removable tip member 130 for facilitating receipt of the center rod 126 of the anvil assembly 120 through tissue (not shown). The removable tip member 130 includes a proximal portion 130 a configured for piercing tissue and a distal end 130 b configured for operable connection to the proximal end 126 a of the center rod 126. The proximal portion 130 a of the removable tip member 130 includes a first magnetic polarity, i.e., south “S”, and the distal portion 130 b of the removable tip member 130 includes a second magnetic polarity, i.e., north “N”. When the removable tip member 130 is secured to the center rod 126 of the anvil assembly 120, in a manner similar to the magnetized center rod 126 described above, the magnetic attraction between the proximal portion 130 a of the removable tip member 130 and the distal portion 106 b (FIG. 1) of the trocar member 106 (FIG. 1) of the adapter assembly 100 (FIG. 1) facilitates approximation of the anvil assembly 120 to the adapter assembly 100.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of an adapter assembly according to the present disclosure is shown generally as adapter assembly 200. The adapter assembly 200 is substantially similar to adapter assembly 100 described hereinabove. The adapter assembly 200 includes a housing 202, an elongate body 204 extending from the housing 202, a trocar member 204 extending from the elongate body 204 for releasably securing an anvil assembly, e.g., anvil assembly 120 (FIG. 2), and a loading unit 210 disposed on a distal end of the elongate body 204.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the adapter assembly 200 includes an electromagnet assembly 240. The electromagnet assembly 240 includes a wire coil or solenoid, 242 disposed within the loading unit 210 of the adapter assembly 200 and about the trocar member 206. The wire coil 242 is connected to a power source 244. The power source 244 may be disposed within the housing 202 of the adapter assembly 200, within the handle assembly 10 (FIG. 1), as a standalone power source, or in any other suitable configuration. A switch 246 for activating the electromagnet assembly 240 may be disposed on the housing 202 of the adapter assembly 200, as shown, or may be disposed on the handle assembly 10 (FIG. 1), or as an independent actuator i.e., foot pedal (not shown).

Activation of the electromagnet assembly 240 of the adapter assembly 200 magnetizes the trocar member 206. As described above with regards to the trocar member 106 of the adapter assembly 100, when the trocar member 206 of the adapter assembly 200 is magnetized, an anvil assembly that includes a magnetized portion, i.e., the center rod 126, the removable trocar tip 130, is attracted to the trocar member 206 to facilitate connection of the anvil assembly to the trocar member 206.

With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an instrument for facilitating positioning of a magnetized anvil assembly, i.e., the anvil assembly 120, within a patient is shown generally as insertion instrument 300. The insertion instrument 300 includes a handle assembly 302, and an elongate body 304 extending from the handle assembly 302. The insertion instrument 300 also includes an electromagnet assembly 340 and a light assembly 350.

The electromagnet assembly 340 is similar to the electromagnet assembly 240 of the adapter assembly 200, and includes a wire coil 342 wrapped about a ferromagnetic material, i.e., rod member 348, a power source 344 connected to the wire coil 342, and an activation switch 346 for activating the electromagnet assembly 340.

The light assembly 350 includes at least one light source, for example, a circular array of light emitting diodes 352 mounted on a distal end of the elongate body 304, and a control switch for activating the light source 352 and for controlling the intensity of the light source 352. The light source 352 may be powered by the power source 344 of the electromagnet assembly 340. Alternatively, the light source 352 may be powered by an independent power source disposed within the handle assembly 302.

During positioning of the anvil assembly 120, activation of the electromagnet assembly 340 of the insertion instrument 300 creates a magnetic field that attracts the magnetized center rod 126 (FIG. 2) of the anvil assembly 120 to facilitate positioning of the anvil assembly 120 within the body cavity and through tissue “T”. Activation of the light source 352 of the light assembly 352 facilitates viewing of the anvil assembly 120 as the anvil assembly 120 is positioned through the tissue “T”. It is envisioned that the light source 352 may be placed behind the tissue “T” to illuminate the tissue “T”.

With reference now to FIG. 7, an assembly for protecting the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 and the loading unit 110 that is secured to the elongate body 104, and for minimizing damage to tissue of a patient during introduction of the adapter assembly 100 within the patient, is shown generally as protective assembly 400. The protective assembly 400 includes a sleeve member 402, and an insufflation port 404 operably connected to the sleeve member 402. The insufflation port 404 may include a luer connector or other suitable connection. The protective assembly 400 further includes a syringe 406 or other source of insufflation fluid, i.e., air canister, bellow pump, configured for operable connection with the insufflation port 404.

With additional reference to FIG. 8, the sleeve member 402 of the protective assembly 400 includes an elongate flexible body 410 configured to be received about the elongate body 104 (FIG. 7) of the adapter assembly 100 (FIG. 7) and the loading unit 110 (FIG. 7) that is secured to the elongate body 102 of the adapter assembly. The sleeve member 402 includes open proximal and distal ends 402 a, 402 b, and defines an inflatable annular cavity or donut 403 extending about the open distal end 402 b in fluid communication with the insufflation port 404. As will be described in further detail below, the inflatable donut 403 is configured to be positioned adjacent the distal end of the elongate body 104 for protecting the adapter assembly 100 from damage during introduction of the adapter assembly 100 into a patient, and for protecting the tissue of the patient. The inflatable donut 403 is connected to the insufflation port 404 by one or more inflation channels 405 extending along the length of the elongate flexible body 410 of the sleeve member 402.

The open proximal end 402 a of the sleeve member 402 includes a handle member or pull back handle 408 for facilitating receipt of the sleeve member 402 about the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100, and for facilitating removal of the sleeve member 402 from about the elongate body 104. The sleeve member 402 may include a perforation or tear-line 412 extending along all or a portion of the length of the elongate flexible body 410. Alternatively, the sleeve member 402 may by formed of a sheet of material having a hook and loop type fastener (e.g., Velcro®), or zip lock connection, for maintaining the tubular structure.

During a surgical procedure, and prior to introduction of the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 into a patient, the sleeve member 402 of the protective assembly 400 is received about the elongate body 104. The sleeve member 402 of the protective assembly 400 may be received about the elongate body 102 when the sleeve member 402 is in an inflated configuration (FIG. 9A), or when sleeve member 402 is in a deflated configuration (FIG. 9B). The sleeve member 402 is retracted about the elongate body 402 until the inflatable annular cavity 403 is disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongate body 104. If the inflatable annular cavity 403 of the sleeve member 402 is not already inflated, the syringe 406 (FIG. 7) may be used to inflate the inflatable annular cavity 403.

During introduction of the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 into a patient, the sleeve member 402 of the protective assembly 400 protects the distal end of the elongate body 104 from damage, while also protecting the tissue through which the adapter assembly 100 is introduced. Once the adapter assembly 100 has been positioned within the patient, the inflatable annular cavity 403 of the sleeve member 402 of the protective assembly 400 may be deflated to facilitate removal of the sleeve member 402 from the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100. As noted above, the sleeve member 402 may include perforation or tear-line 412 for facilitating removal of the sleeve member 402 from about the elongate body 104. Once the sleeve member 402 of the protective assembly 400 is removed from about the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100, the adapter assembly 100 may be used in a traditional manner.

With reference now to FIGS. 10-12, another embodiment of an assembly for protecting the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 and the loading unit 110 that is secured to the elongate body 104, and for minimizing damage to tissue of a patient during introduction of the adapter assembly 100 within the patient, is shown generally as protective assembly 500. The protective assembly 500 includes a sleeve member 502, and a cap member 504 secured to a distal end of the sleeve member 502. The sleeve member 502 is configured to be received about the elongate body 104 of adapter assembly 100. The cap member 504 is configured to be releasably received about the loading unit 110 secured to the distal end of the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100.

The sleeve member 502 of the protective assembly 500 is substantially similar to sleeve member 402 of the protective assembly 400 described above, and includes an elongate flexible body 506. As shown, the cap member 504 includes a substantially conical shape and may be transparent or translucent. The cap member 504 is formed of flexible plastic or other suitable material, and is divided into multiple leaves or sections 504 a. For example, and as shown, the cap member 504 includes two leaves (FIG. 11A), three leaves (FIG. 11B), four leaves (FIG. 11C), or five leaves (FIG. 11D). The leaves 504 a may be connected by a frangible connection 504 b, e.g., weakened plastic bridges, which are configured to break during retraction of the sleeve member 502 relative to the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100. The greater number of leaves 504 a, the less room the cap member 504 will occupy radially as the protective assembly 500 is removed from about the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100.

The elongate flexible body 506 of the sleeve member 502 may be constructed of a more flexible material than the cap member 504. The cap member 504 may be made more rigid by increasing the wall thickness of the leaves 504 a or by using a stiffer material to construct the cap member 504.

As shown in FIG. 12, removal of the protective assembly 500 from about the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 requires pulling handle members 508 proximally and radially outward relative to the elongate body 104, as indicated by arrows “A”, to cause tearing of the sleeve member 502 along a tear-line 512 and to cause separation of the leaves 504 a of the cap member 504. As the sleeve member 502 is separated along the tear-line 512 and the sleeve member 502 is retracted proximally relative to the elongate body 104, the leaves 504 a of the cap member 504 separate to permit passage of the loading unit 110 therethrough. Once completely removed from about the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100, the clinician may dispose of the protective assembly 500, and the adapter assembly 100 may be used in a traditional manner.

Turning to FIGS. 13-15, another embodiment of an assembly for protecting the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 and an attached loading unit 110, is shown generally as protective assembly 600. The protective assembly 600 includes a sleeve member 602, and a cap member 604 secured to a distal end of the sleeve member 602. The protective assembly 600 further includes a camera assembly 606 supported within the cap member 604. The camera assembly 606 may connect with a monitoring unit (not shown) wirelessly, or through a wire “W” (FIG. 15) extending along the length of the sleeve member 602.

The cap member 604 includes a plurality of leaves 604 a. The camera assembly 606 is supported on a distal end of one of the leaves 604 a. The camera assembly 606 may be removable to permit reuse. The camera assembly 606 permits viewing as the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 is introduced into a patient. The camera assembly 606 may include charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, or other suitable cameras.

With reference now to FIGS. 16 and 17, an assembly for protecting the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 and a loading unit 110 attached to the elongate body 104, is shown generally as protective assembly 700. The protective assembly 700 is substantially similar to protective assemblies 400, 500, 600 described hereinabove. The protective assembly 700 includes a sleeve member 702, a cap member 704 integrally formed with or secured to a distal end of the sleeve member 702, and a steering assembly 706 supported on and extending through the sleeve member 702.

The steering assembly 706 includes a steering ring 708, and a plurality of steering cables 710 extending from the steering ring 708 and through the sleeve member 702. The steering cables 710 are each received through a lumen 705 of the sleeve member 702. As shown, the protective assembly 700 includes four (4) steering cables 710. However, it is envisioned that the protective assembly 700 may have more or less than four (4) steering cables 710.

During a surgical procedure, after the protective assembly 700 is received about the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100, the steering ring 708 may be used to guide the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 within a patient. More particularly, rotation of the steering ring 708 of the protective assembly 700 about a longitudinal axis of the adapter assembly 100, as indicated by arrows “B” in FIG. 16, causes corresponding movement of the sleeve member 702 of the protective assembly 700 which moves the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100. As the adapter assembly 100 is being introduced into a patient, rotation of the steering ring 708 relative to the adapter assembly 100 facilitates continued movement of the adapter assembly 100 to the desired position.

With reference now to FIG. 18, an assembly for protecting the loading unit 110 secured to the distal end of the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100 is shown generally as protective assembly 800. The protective assembly 800 includes an inflatable member 802 configured for operable engagement of the loading unit 110, and an insufflation port 804 for effecting insufflation of the inflatable member 802. The insufflation port 804 may include a luer connector, or other suitable connection means, and is in fluid communication with the inflatable member 802 through an inflation tube 804 a. The protective assembly 800 may further include a syringe, canister, bellow, or other suitable means for inflating the inflatable member 802.

The inflatable member 802 of the protective assembly has a first substantially spherical portion 802 a, and a second substantially spherical portion 802 b extending from the first substantially spherical portion 802 a. The first substantially spherical portion 802 a being greater in size or diameter than the second substantially spherical portion 802 b when the inflatable member 802 is in an inflated condition. As shown in FIG. 18, when the inflatable member 802 is in the inflated condition, the second substantially spherical portion 802 b is securely received within a cylindrical cavity 111 of the loading unit 110 which is secured to the distal end of the elongate body 104 of the adapter assembly 100. When the second substantially spherical portion 802 b of the inflatable member 802 is received within the cylindrical cavity 111 of the loading unit 110, the first substantially spherical portion 802 a covers a distal end of the loading unit 110. In this manner, the inflatable member 802 prevents contact of the distal end of the loading unit 110 with tissue as the adapter assembly 100 and the attached protective assembly 800 is introduced within a patient.

It is envisioned that the first substantially spherical portion 802 a of the inflatable member 802 may be configured to match the contour of the loading unit 110. In this manner, the inflatable member 802 more closely aligns with the loading unit 110.

With reference now to FIGS. 19-21, an embodiment of a loading unit according to the present disclosure is shown generally as loading unit 910. The loading unit 910 is configured for operable connection to the distal end of the elongate body 104 (FIG. 1) of the adapter assembly 100 (FIG. 1). Briefly, the loading unit 910 includes a shell 912 and a cartridge assembly 914 mounted on a distal end of the shell 912. The shell 912 defines a lumen 915 extending therethrough for providing a pathway through the cartridge assembly 914. The lumen 915 may be used to, for example, provide irrigation fluids “I” (FIG. 21) to the tissue being stapled “T”. In addition, the lumen 915 may be used to receive, for example, guide wires, scopes “S” (FIG. 20), or other suitable instruments during a stapling procedure. A connector sleeve 916 may be received on a proximal end of the lumen 915 to facilitate receipt of a fluid and/or instrument into and through the lumen.

It is envisioned that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified for use with various electromechanical surgical instruments and/or electrosurgical instruments. It is further envisioned that these instruments may, for example, be configured to be detachably coupleable and controllable by a robotic surgical system.

With reference now to FIG. 22, an exemplary robotic surgical system is shown generally as robotic surgical system 1 and, may include a plurality of surgical robotic arms, e.g., surgical robotic arms 2, 3, each having an instrument drive unit, e.g., instrument drive unit 11, 12, and an end effector, e.g., surgical stapler 21, 22, removably attached thereto; a control device, e.g., control device 5; and an operating console, e.g., operating console 4, coupled with the control device 5. As shown, the robotic surgical system 1 is configured for use on a patient “P” lying on a surgical table “ST” to be treated in a minimally invasive manner by means of the surgical stapler 21, 22.

For a detailed description of the construction and operation of an examplary robotic surgical system, reference may be made to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0116416, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

1. (canceled).
 2. An assembly for protecting tissue of a patient during introduction of a circular stapling instrument into the patient, the assembly comprising: a sleeve member including a distal end, the sleeve member being configured for receipt about an elongate body of a circular stapling instrument, and a cap member secured to the distal end of the sleeve member, the cap member being configured for releasable receipt about a loading unit of the circular stapling instrument secured to a distal end of the elongate body of the circular stapling instrument.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the cap member includes a substantially conical shape.
 4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the cap member is transparent or translucent.
 5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the cap member is formed of flexible plastic.
 6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the cap member is divided into a plurality of sections.
 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein each section of the plurality of sections is connected to an adjacent section of the plurality of sections by a frangible connection.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the frangible connection includes a weakened bridge.
 9. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the sleeve member includes a length and defines a tear-line extending along the length.
 10. A circular stapling instrument, comprising: an elongate body having a distal end; a loading unit disposed on the distal end of the elongate body; and an assembly for protecting tissue of a patient during introduction of the loading unit into a body of the patient, the assembly comprising: a sleeve member including a distal end, the sleeve member being configured for receipt about the elongate body; and a cap member secured to the distal end of the sleeve member, the cap member being configured for releasable receipt about the loading unit.
 11. The circular stapling instrument of claim 10, wherein the cap member includes a substantially conical shape.
 12. The circular stapling instrument of claim 10, wherein the cap member is transparent or translucent.
 13. The circular stapling instrument of claim 10, wherein the cap member is formed of flexible plastic.
 14. The circular stapling instrument of claim 10, wherein the cap member is divided into a plurality of sections.
 15. The circular stapling instrument of claim 14, wherein each section of the plurality of sections is connected to an adjacent section of the plurality of sections by a frangible connection.
 16. The circular stapling instrument of claim 15, wherein the frangible connection includes a weakened bridge.
 17. The circular stapling instrument of claim 10, wherein the sleeve member includes a length and defines a tear-line along the length.
 18. A circular stapling instrument, comprising: an actuation assembly; an elongate body extending from the actuation assembly, the elongate body having a distal end; a loading unit disposed on the distal end of the elongate body; and an assembly for protecting tissue of a patient during introduction of the loading unit into a body of the patient, the assembly comprising: a sleeve member including a distal end, the sleeve member being configured for receipt about the elongate body; and a cap member secured to the distal end of the sleeve member, the cap member being configured for releasable receipt about the loading unit.
 19. The circular stapling instrument of claim 18, wherein the cap member includes a substantially conical shape.
 20. The circular stapling instrument of claim 18, wherein the cap member is divided into a plurality of sections.
 21. The circular stapling instrument of claim 18, wherein the sleeve member includes a length and defines a tear-line along the length. 